Absa Mauritius recently celebrated the commitment, excellence, and loyalty of its employees at the 2026 Shujaa Awards and Long Service Awards, held at Le Méridien Hotel. This flagship event brought together employees, Board members, the Executive Committee, as well as distinguished guests including Charles Russon, Group Executive: Africa Regions, and Ben Dyson, Chief Financial Officer: AR, highlighting the strategic importance of the Mauritian franchise within Absa Group’s Africa Regions.
In total, 91 employees were recognized for their years of service, ranging from 10 to 40 years, while 17 Shujaa winners, both teams and individuals, were honored for their exceptional impact, selected from 88 nominees.
Recognition Embedded in Absa Mauritius’ Culture
The Shujaa Awards recognize employees who fully embody Absa’s values: Trust, Resourcefulness, Stewardship, Inclusion, and Courage—and who make a tangible contribution to organisational performance, customer experience, and positive societal impact.
Inspired by the Swahili word “Shujaa,” meaning hero or champion, the programme celebrates those who go above and beyond expectations and make a difference every day.
“Recognition is at the heart of the culture we are building at Absa Mauritius. It goes beyond results—it values behaviours, commitment, and the lasting impact of our employees. When employees feel recognised and supported, they perform at their best and contribute fully to organisational success. Being certified as a Top Employer for the second consecutive year reinforces our commitment to creating an environment where everyone can grow, express themselves, and have a real impact,” emphasised Christine Orono, Head of Human Capital.
A 2026 Edition Marked by Higher Standards
The 2026 edition marks a significant evolution of the programme, with a clear ambition to enhance its rigor and prestige. Out of 88 nominees, only 17 winners were selected following a robust evaluation process focused on real and sustainable impact.
Awards were presented in the following categories:
- Innovation & Resourcefulness Award
- Deal of the Year Award
- Customer Obsession Award
- Best Idea Generated Award
- Future Focused Sustainability & Stewardship Award
- MD Award
This approach reinforces the aspirational dimension of the Shujaa Awards by recognising truly exceptional contributions.
Inclusion, Diversity, and Sustainable Excellence
This year’s nominations reflect positive momentum in inclusion, with 53 women and 29 men nominated, showcasing the diversity of talent within Absa Mauritius. Notably, three winners were recognised for the second consecutive year, demonstrating their ability to sustain high performance over time.
Loyalty: A Pillar of Performance
At the same time, 91 employees were honoured for their long-standing service, with some reaching up to 40 years within the bank. These career journeys reflect enduring commitment and a vital contribution to the institution’s growth and evolution.
“With 40 years of service, I have demonstrated commitment, loyalty, and professionalism throughout my career at Barclays/Absa. My deep knowledge of the institution, consistent performance, and adaptability have contributed to Absa’s growth and success. This milestone reflects not only a long career but, above all, a lasting impact built on integrity, expertise, and dedication,” shared Christophe Marco Grenade.
Stories That Embody Impact
Beyond recognition, the Shujaa Awards highlight inspiring individual journeys that demonstrate tangible impact on clients and teams.
Deal of the Year Award – Aarti Sookun Seeruttun
“Winning the Deal of the Year award feels almost surreal at first—it takes a moment to truly sink in. Beyond the recognition, it brings a deep sense of pride, gratitude to those who supported me, and a quiet confidence in my own abilities.”
MD Award – Shezad Suhootoorah
“This award is a great honour, but above all, it recognises collective effort. Nothing we achieve is done alone. Every day, it’s about doing things right, staying committed, and always remembering the impact we have on our clients, our teams, and our families. Receiving this distinction today is both an honour and a motivation to continue contributing with the same rigor and mindset.”
Innovation and Resourcefulness Award – Team Recognition
“Together with our clients as partners, we are reinventing today’s solutions to build tomorrow’s success.” Team: Adiila Husnoo, Annabelle Mercier, Sameer Soudageer, Kristel Lew Yaw Fung.
Recognising to Inspire, Valuing to Build
The Shujaa Awards and Long Service Awards play a key role in strengthening a culture of performance, engagement, and accountability at Absa Mauritius. This recognition takes on added significance as the organisation has been certified a Top Employer for the second consecutive year, confirming the strength of its employee experience and talent development practices.
Through this 2026 edition, Absa Mauritius reaffirms a strong conviction: recognising both individual and collective excellence is a key driver in building a more engaged, higher-performing, and future-focused organisation.
Explore career opportunities and join our team by visiting our careers page.
